Indiewire: Incendiary Political Documentary ‘1971’

Hamilton’s directing style is ultimately straightforward, with an avoidance on getting too involved in the story. Such an approach is a subtle call to arms, with the film ultimately punctuated by an on-text crawl talking about the Patriot Act. Her film is not celebratory, lingering on the notion that, with the public charade of COINTELPRO, ultimately the FBI won. While their post-break-in behaviors are mocked, the government credits itself with tactics specifically utilized to “enhance the paranoia,” creating a culture of fear that still exists today. Hamilton is announcing the immediacy right off the bat: “1971” could have been any year. “1971” should be every year.